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For My People
“Awacha náy! This is the way it was,” the old man finished as he always did, and the village’s children replied an excited, “Íi,” as they always did. But for Asku, the future Patisapatisháma chief, the words stuck in his throat.
As long as he could remember Asku had experienced vivid visions from Saigwan, an ancestor chief from the time when the Ice and Speartooth were masters of the land. These visions taught him, prepared him, and scared him. The other children could listen to the stories. Asku felt like he lived the stories.
One thing for certain was that Saigwan had chosen him. But the question in Asku’s mind remained, what for? What did the Ancestors want with him? And when the time came for him to take his place, whenever that may be, would Asku be equal to the challenge?
Before dams, before canneries and before white explorers people lived along the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest and had for thousands of years. Life along the Big River, Nch’i Wána, had never been easy, but the sustenance was rich. Along the life-giving resource of the mighty river there developed a delicate and intricate balance of power, control and trade. Up and down her two thousand kilometers, from mountain to sea, were people who depended upon the life that she gave and the balance of power and trade that followed.
But that was about to change…suddenly and painfully.
As long as he could remember Asku had experienced vivid visions from Saigwan, an ancestor chief from the time when the Ice and Speartooth were masters of the land. These visions taught him, prepared him, and scared him. The other children could listen to the stories. Asku felt like he lived the stories.
One thing for certain was that Saigwan had chosen him. But the question in Asku’s mind remained, what for? What did the Ancestors want with him? And when the time came for him to take his place, whenever that may be, would Asku be equal to the challenge?
Before dams, before canneries and before white explorers people lived along the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest and had for thousands of years. Life along the Big River, Nch’i Wána, had never been easy, but the sustenance was rich. Along the life-giving resource of the mighty river there developed a delicate and intricate balance of power, control and trade. Up and down her two thousand kilometers, from mountain to sea, were people who depended upon the life that she gave and the balance of power and trade that followed.
But that was about to change…suddenly and painfully.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
438 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 6, 2015
8 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Heidi Ennis
5 books16 followersHeidi writes faith filled historical fiction with a touch of romance set along the Columbia River, where faith, hope, and love meet the rugged beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Her stories celebrate courage, redemption, and the resilience of the human spirit—woven into real history and the landscapes she cherishes.
When she's not writing, you’ll find her sipping coffee with a dog or two at her side, exploring the outdoors, or sharing random PNW history facts with her family. Heidi loves to weave Pacific Northwest history and culture into stories that leave readers encouraged and inspired.
Follow her for new releases, sneak peeks, and stories that lift the heart.
www.atthefootofmountains.com
When she's not writing, you’ll find her sipping coffee with a dog or two at her side, exploring the outdoors, or sharing random PNW history facts with her family. Heidi loves to weave Pacific Northwest history and culture into stories that leave readers encouraged and inspired.
Follow her for new releases, sneak peeks, and stories that lift the heart.
www.atthefootofmountains.com
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 8, 2025
For My PeoplePainted in Authenticity !
This book touches something ageless in the depth of my heart. It spans the First Nations history along the Columbia River for a millennium, when ancient chiefs come to speak in visions to the young boy destined to be a leader of his people. It you've read Clan of the Cave Bear, and other books by Jean M. Auel, then you'll love this author's series too. I recommend this authentic historical novel!
This book touches something ageless in the depth of my heart. It spans the First Nations history along the Columbia River for a millennium, when ancient chiefs come to speak in visions to the young boy destined to be a leader of his people. It you've read Clan of the Cave Bear, and other books by Jean M. Auel, then you'll love this author's series too. I recommend this authentic historical novel!
April 19, 2015
Loved this historical fiction book! Very interesting read. I learned a lot about these Pacific Northwest tribes and the way they lived. Well written and easy to read.
March 11, 2019
For my People: Awacha Nay is a story of the land around what is now the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest of the United states. It starts during what is assumed to be the last ice age where early aboriginal people are trying to survive in desperate environmental conditions. These scenes act as flashbacks to a time just prior to European contact, and tell the story of a leader of one tribe, fighting against everything to provide for his people. Witnessing these events is the main character Asku, a descendant of the chief Saigwan who led his people through disaster. Asku is the eldest son of the current chief and is receiving visions of the former chief of their tribe Saigwan. Through these visions Asku learns about what it takes to become a chief, and when his tribe is threatened he must use what he has learned to help his people.
This book was a lovely read, and really got me emotional in places. I have no idea of the background of the author; whether or not they have an indigenous background, but it does seem well researched, and I appreciated the inclusion of a lexicon for words at the back of the book. I normally struggle a bit with main characters that don't have much in common with me; Asku is a young boy, living in around the 1500's (my estimate) who is indigenous to North America, and is the eldest son of the chief of the tribe. In comparison I am a woman in my thirties who is not Indigenous to North America, and I do not have any parents in any position of power that I would inherit. Seeing the differences between us, I could sympathize, but not really empathize with the struggles and issues facing Asku, but as a testament to Ennis' skill I found myself constantly feeling the pain he felt during difficult times, the worry he felt when it seems like so much was placed on his shoulders. The joy he felt when he kissed a girl for the first time. Ennis really did a great job in allowing me, the reader, to be able to understand the main character, despite our long list of differences. Ennis also wove the flashbacks in the story so artfully that it enhanced the read, rather than distract, or worse, confuse the reader.
Overall this was a delightful read. Any book really that can start to make me cry I think is a pretty powerful one, because that's not an easy task. Interestingly enough the end of the book is probably my favourite part, because it gave me just a hint, a little flavour for what would come next in Asku's life, and honestly I don't know what I want more; Ennis to make a sequel or not, because I think leaving the ending hanging just a bit is a fantastic way to leave a story, because it lets you imagine the story from that point onward, making it a book that keeps on giving.
This book was a lovely read, and really got me emotional in places. I have no idea of the background of the author; whether or not they have an indigenous background, but it does seem well researched, and I appreciated the inclusion of a lexicon for words at the back of the book. I normally struggle a bit with main characters that don't have much in common with me; Asku is a young boy, living in around the 1500's (my estimate) who is indigenous to North America, and is the eldest son of the chief of the tribe. In comparison I am a woman in my thirties who is not Indigenous to North America, and I do not have any parents in any position of power that I would inherit. Seeing the differences between us, I could sympathize, but not really empathize with the struggles and issues facing Asku, but as a testament to Ennis' skill I found myself constantly feeling the pain he felt during difficult times, the worry he felt when it seems like so much was placed on his shoulders. The joy he felt when he kissed a girl for the first time. Ennis really did a great job in allowing me, the reader, to be able to understand the main character, despite our long list of differences. Ennis also wove the flashbacks in the story so artfully that it enhanced the read, rather than distract, or worse, confuse the reader.
Overall this was a delightful read. Any book really that can start to make me cry I think is a pretty powerful one, because that's not an easy task. Interestingly enough the end of the book is probably my favourite part, because it gave me just a hint, a little flavour for what would come next in Asku's life, and honestly I don't know what I want more; Ennis to make a sequel or not, because I think leaving the ending hanging just a bit is a fantastic way to leave a story, because it lets you imagine the story from that point onward, making it a book that keeps on giving.
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August 9, 2022Book 1 was great! Couldn't put it down. Moving on to Book 2. Can't wait for more.
April 24, 2015
I was asked to read and review this book by the author, and furnished a book in exchange for an honest review.
It is obvious Ms. Ennis did a tremendous amount of research, and she is a great teller of stories. I enjoyed this book from the first chapter to the end, and was sorry it had to end.
This story takes place in the Northwest, along the Columbia River, before the Europeans arrived. It is well written and absolutely fascinating, especially the 'vision' scenes where Asku, the hero of the book, sees his ancestor and learns from and about him.
I found this book to be a page-turner, and had trouble putting it down. Although it isn't what I would call an action book (or an adrenalin gusher), I became very involved with the characters, and had to turn the page to find out what they did next, how they extricated themselves from the situations they got into. The hero and his cohorts, are young, mid teens, and while this book is more than suitable for the Young Adult readers (if they aren't afraid of 422 pages), it is not a YA book. It is just a well executed book for readers of any age.
Asku comes of age in this book. The son of the Chief, he is in love with a young maid of his tribe, and learns he must sacrifice his hoped for marriage to her, and marry a maid from one of the Sea Tribes—a woman he's never met—but alliances must be formed and or maintained. He reacts in a reasonable manner for a boy in love with someone else, but learns what he must. When his father is mortally wounded, his anger takes over, and he and his friends track the killer, leaving the village and the people without a leader, without a Chief's strength and wisdom. His future as Chief hangs on the line.
Asku and the characters in this book act and react as one would expect them to, not as all-knowing adults, but as boys and girls who, by the end of the book, become men and women.
There are maps in the back of the book; I would have preferred them in the front, and perhaps on white instead of what looked like old skin. I recognized them, but could not read them. Again, I read an electronic version.
If you are at all interested in the history, or in this case, pre-history, of the Northwest and the people who lived here, I think you will enjoy this book tremendously. I know I am excited that this is Book 1, which tells me that there will be a Book 2, and I can hardly wait to read it!
It is obvious Ms. Ennis did a tremendous amount of research, and she is a great teller of stories. I enjoyed this book from the first chapter to the end, and was sorry it had to end.
This story takes place in the Northwest, along the Columbia River, before the Europeans arrived. It is well written and absolutely fascinating, especially the 'vision' scenes where Asku, the hero of the book, sees his ancestor and learns from and about him.
I found this book to be a page-turner, and had trouble putting it down. Although it isn't what I would call an action book (or an adrenalin gusher), I became very involved with the characters, and had to turn the page to find out what they did next, how they extricated themselves from the situations they got into. The hero and his cohorts, are young, mid teens, and while this book is more than suitable for the Young Adult readers (if they aren't afraid of 422 pages), it is not a YA book. It is just a well executed book for readers of any age.
Asku comes of age in this book. The son of the Chief, he is in love with a young maid of his tribe, and learns he must sacrifice his hoped for marriage to her, and marry a maid from one of the Sea Tribes—a woman he's never met—but alliances must be formed and or maintained. He reacts in a reasonable manner for a boy in love with someone else, but learns what he must. When his father is mortally wounded, his anger takes over, and he and his friends track the killer, leaving the village and the people without a leader, without a Chief's strength and wisdom. His future as Chief hangs on the line.
Asku and the characters in this book act and react as one would expect them to, not as all-knowing adults, but as boys and girls who, by the end of the book, become men and women.
There are maps in the back of the book; I would have preferred them in the front, and perhaps on white instead of what looked like old skin. I recognized them, but could not read them. Again, I read an electronic version.
If you are at all interested in the history, or in this case, pre-history, of the Northwest and the people who lived here, I think you will enjoy this book tremendously. I know I am excited that this is Book 1, which tells me that there will be a Book 2, and I can hardly wait to read it!
June 17, 2019
“We are responsible for all things, as they were a gift to us.”
Author Heidi Ennis's historical fiction takes us back in time when the white man had not yet decimated the red man from his homes in the Pacific northeast. This tale takes you through a young chiefs son coming of age with many life lessons that build character to become a leader of his tribe. The story unfolded to weave a tale with our main character receiving visions from a past Chief that helps and confuses the young brave. I laughed and cried with the tribe, plus I found the book immensely entertaining.
I did not win the book on Goodreads but instead was able to read it with my Amazon Unlimited.
Author Heidi Ennis's historical fiction takes us back in time when the white man had not yet decimated the red man from his homes in the Pacific northeast. This tale takes you through a young chiefs son coming of age with many life lessons that build character to become a leader of his tribe. The story unfolded to weave a tale with our main character receiving visions from a past Chief that helps and confuses the young brave. I laughed and cried with the tribe, plus I found the book immensely entertaining.
I did not win the book on Goodreads but instead was able to read it with my Amazon Unlimited.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews